Tesla is negotiating with the Indian government about opening up sales and building a factory in the country, according to a tweet this week from CEO Elon Musk.
In discussions with the government of India requesting temporary relief on import penalties/restrictions until a local factory is built
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 14, 2017
Tesla hopes to avoid the penalties and restrictions currently in place for imports and eventually create a manufacturing presence that would allow it to avoid a tax on vehicles manufactured outside of India.
Musk has expressed an interest in India for years, as it’s home to 1.3 billion potential customers. In fact, he invited India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a tour of the Tesla factory in 2015.
Musk said in February he hoped to launch in India this summer.